In this Autodesk 3ds max 2014 tutorial, Creative COW leader Michael Hurwicz uses the Data Operator (available (available for the first time as a standard feature) to create a sphere of particles with random 3D motion. This is done by taking particle rotation data and using it to determine particle position.

Autodesk's new software empowers 3D artists' creativity by simplifying complex tasks and extending workflow capabilities. Enhancements to the 2015 software include new tools such as Bifrost and ShaderFX, and an updated Maya LT for indie game makers.

Virtual matte painting and set extension doesn't just live in grand shots of big budget movies anymore. "The Invisible Art" is now affordable through software you likely already own -- but still requires careful preparation during live action shooting if it's to be believable. Here are tips from an Emmy Award-winning local spot that you can apply to your own work, whichever tools you're using.

Autodesk Industry Marketing Manager Marc Hamaker talks about Autodesk's decision to add a rental model. Rental models for Autodesk Design and Creation Suites as well as individual software packages, is available on Sept. 16. Also new is Flame Premium 2014, which integrates visual effects, editorial finishing and 3D effects creation.

Particles in 3ds Max 2014: Adjusting SizePlay VideoIn this Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 tutorial, Creative COW leader Michael Hurwicz uses the Data operator to adjust the size of particles on the surface of a sphere, based on the separation between the particles.

3ds max 2014: Data Operator & Data Presets for Particle FlowPlay VideoIn this Autodesk 3ds max 2014 tutorial, Creative COW leader Michael Hurwicz looks at two features that are now a standard part of the product: The Data Operator allows you to use math, via a graphical user interface, to manipulate particles. Presets allow you to save and load Data Operator setups previously created by you or others.

Lanier High School students work with 3D Studio Max creating a real world project thanks to a collaboration between Biscardi Creative Media Principal Walter Biscardi, Jr. and CDAT teacher Mike Reilly. Instead of just working on a class assignment, these students are creating something that will be part of a PBS documentary due to air in Fall 2013.

Daniel Simon, a native of Germany, had an intense education in automobile design at one of a handful of universities worldwide that have that specialty. Watching Star Wars Episode 1 opened Simon's eyes up to the possibility of designing fantasy vehicles. After seven years of drawing them for his book Cosmic Motors, he was picked by director Joe Kosinski to work on the vehicles in TRON: Legacy. That single job has evolved to a career designing vehicles for several Hollywood movies.

State Sets for 3ds max 2013, Photoshop & After EffectsPlay VideoCreative COW leader Michael Hurwicz provides an introduction to State Sets, a new feature in Autodesk 3ds max 2013 that revolutionizes interoperability with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects, as well as opening up new possibilities for working within 3ds max itself.

Autodesk 3ds max & Di-O-Matic's Facial StudioPlay VideoIn this tutorial, Andrew Devis shows how easy it is to create, add materials to, animate and lip-sync a head in Autodesk 3ds max using the plug-ins from Di-O-Matic called 'Facial Studio' and 'Voice-O-Matic'. Andrew goes through the basics of this plug-in just to show how easy and quick it is to use and how powerful it can be - not to mention just how much time it can save you!

Create & Control Simple Eyes in 3ds Max: 4 - ManipulatorsPlay VideoIn the fourth and final part of his tutorial series on creating and controlling simple eyes in 3ds Max, Andrew Devis shows how to use manipulators to control the upper and lower eyelids of the eyes we have created. To do this, Andrew demonstrates how to use wire parameters to link specific manipulators to more than one object such that the eye lids of both eyes are controlled by one set of manipulators to ensure that they are synchronised. In addition, Andrew also shows how to lock transforms to limit possible mistakes while animating.